Looks like we found the first game to hit next month during E3 2013: the latest installment in the Call of Duty series. Activision confirmed Call of Duty: Ghosts on Wednesday, promising an all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters.
Developed by Infinity Ward, the game will use a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation.
"Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do. But we're not resting on our laurels," said Mark Rubin, executive producer of developer Infinity Ward. "We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty. So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can't wait to share them with our community."
What those new ideas and experiences will be is unknown at this point, but the game is expected to be based on Simon "Ghost" Riley, the British soldier last seen in Modern Warfare 2. The only additional information available for now is a teaser trailer called "Masked Warriors" on the Call of Duty: Ghosts website that says "there are those that wear masks to protect us all." There's no in-game footage, but examples of different warriors and soldiers wearing masks instead. The voice-over guy even sounds like Batman.
The first appearance of Call of Duty: Ghosts will be during Microsoft's Xbox: the Next Generation Revealed on May 21 at 10 a.m. PDT on Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE or SPIKE TV. The game will undoubtedly make a personal appearance during E3 2013 in June, and then will hit retail shelves on November 5 for Windows PC, the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3, and the next-gen systems.
“Infinity Ward set the gold standard for first-person action for a generation, and they’re going to do it again with Call of Duty: Ghosts,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. “Ghosts delivers an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-new Call of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine, which is a leap forward for the franchise. Infinity Ward is going all-in to create the next generation of Call of Duty worthy of the world’s greatest fans.”
Potential fans can pre-order the game now at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and Toys'R'Us for $59.99 USD. Those who order from GameStop will receive an exclusive limited edition two-sided poster -- GameStop PowerUp Rewards members will even get an exclusive Call of Duty: Ghosts themed weapon camo that can be used in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
